Career Planning Leaving a Job How to Resign From an Internship (With Letter Examples) By Alison Doyle Alison Doyle Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts. learn about our editorial policies Updated on May 24, 2022 In This Article View All In This Article How to Resign From an Internship Internship Resignation Letter Template Internship Resignation Letter Sample Sending an Email Resignation Message More Resignation Letter Examples Photo: Paul Bradbury/Caiaimage/Getty Images There are many reasons why you might decide to end an internship prior to a previously agreed-upon date. You might have an ideal employment opportunity that you can’t pass up, personal issues that interfere with your commitment, or you might have to return to your academic program sooner than expected. Regardless of the reason, it’s essential to communicate your intentions to your employer and make every effort to leave on a positive note, since you may want to secure a recommendation from your internship sponsor. Note Even if you don’t plan to use the employer as a potential reference, but you do include the internship on your resume, then the employer may still be contacted by future employers during a background check. In short, it pays to be professional when quitting a job, even if it’s an internship. Learn how to professionally resign from an internship, review sample resignation letters, and get a template to download to use as a starting point for your own letter. How to Resign From an Internship Meet With Your Boss In most cases, you should plan to meet face-to-face with your internship supervisor to hand off your letter and explain your situation in order to smooth over any negative reactions. If you're not able to meet in person or via video, sending an email resignation message is an option. Be Gracious Be polite and appreciative when you resign, even if this wasn't the best experience. Reference any benefits you have accrued from the internship and express your gratitude for the opportunity. Explain any factors that have impacted your decision, such as a paid job offer, a personal/family issue that has arisen, or a financial problem necessitating that you redirect your efforts. Give Two Weeks' Notice if Possible Provide as much notice as possible and offer a status update on any projects on which you are working. Volunteer to meet with any staff member taking over your responsibilities. If you can't give two weeks' notice, give as much notice as you can. You don't want to hinder your chances of getting a good recommendation if you quit without notice. Stay Positive Don’t use your resignation letter as an opportunity to bash the employer or staff. If you are resigning due to disappointment with the opportunity or problems with co-workers, a face-to-face meeting with management will usually be preferable to any written documentation. Note Make sure you meet with your supervisor to discuss the situation and seek resolution prior to finalizing your resignation. In the case of harassment that doesn’t cease upon request, consult with the human resources department. Use Sample Letters to Guide Your Message Resignation letter samples and email message examples can help you decide what to say and how to say it. Be sure to personalize your resignation letter before you send it. Internship Resignation Letter Template This is an example of a resignation letter for an internship. Download the internship resignation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples. The Balance Download the Word Template Internship Resignation Letter Sample Internship Resignation Letter Sample (Text Version) Jean Rodriguez123 Main StreetAnytown, CA 12345555-555-5555jean.rodriguez@email.comMay 23, 2022Kevin LauDirector, Human ResourcesAgainst All Odds Public Relations123 Business Rd.Business City, NY 54321Dear Mr. Lau,Thank you for allowing me to interview with you this past January, and then selecting me as your intern. I know several people were vying for the position, and I was pleased that I was selected. Although I have only been with Against All Odds Public Relations for six months, my time with the company has been fruitful and exciting.I can certainly understand why your many high-profile clients are so interested in retaining your services. You deliver results, and you do it in a professional and friendly manner. The intern role provided me with a lot of great experiences because I got to see first-hand how industry experts handle clients and deliver results. I truly have enjoyed my time with your agency.As I mentioned during the interview process. I have also been seeking full-time employment. One of the companies that I previously met with contacted me because of a job opening. This opportunity turns out to be ideal for me, and I have decided to accept that position. I just heard from this firm and wanted to let you know about my plans to leave Against All Odds in two weeks.During that time, I am happy to meet you (or anyone else) to review the work I was engaged in. I will complete all tasks assigned to me, and you can contact me via email if you have any questions after I leave. I want to reiterate my appreciation for spending the past few months educating me and training me about the public relations industry. This experiential learning has proved to be invaluable, and I will always be grateful for your generosity of time.I also want to wish you the very best of luck in all your endeavors and look forward to reading about your clients in the various news outlets and on social media platforms. I hope that we can stay in touch, and to that end have included my contact information at the top of this letter.Sincerely,Your Signature (hard copy letter)Jean Rodriguez Sending an Email Resignation Message If you're sending an email resignation message, the subject line can simply read: "Your Name - Resignation." List your contact information in your signature instead of at the top of the letter. More Resignation Letter Examples Review more resignation letter samples for a variety of circumstances and download free templates you can use to write your own letter. Key Takeaways Give your boss your resignation letter in person, when possible, and be sure to offer the appropriate notice.Even if you’re leaving because of issues in the workplace, say thank you for the opportunity.Don’t bash your boss, co-workers, or the company in your resignation letter. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. SHRM. "Conducting Background Investigations and Reference Checks." SHRM. "Can Employers Require Workers to Give Notice Before They Quit?" U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission. "What You Should Know: What to Do if You Believe You Have Been Harassed at Work."